Ponda is originally a part of Quela village, located 29km southeast of Panaji. The quintessential temple town is famous among travelers for ancient Hindu temples and nearby Bondla wildlife sanctuary. The area once ruled by Hindu king of Sonda under Bijapur sultanate who gave shelter to fleeing Hindus and encouraged them to conduct their rites and rituals. There were some temples built in and around Ponda for Hindus. In 18th century, Portuguese took over the area along with Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem. Due to a strong Hindu influence, Ponda remained a major Hindu city of Goa and not much changed occurred during the rule.



There are plenty of Hindu temple scattered in and around Ponda. The famous are Mangueshi temple and Ramnath temple. Other than that Shanta Durga temple, Mahalasa Narayani at Mardol are also popular among visitors. As Ponda was under the Bijapur Sultanate, a mosque was built during the reign of Ibrahim Adil Shah. There were another shirnes, which were demolished by Portuguese. Another important attraction of Ponda is spice farms that makes the place a good place for day sightseeing.

Sights And Activities

Safa Shahouri Masjid
This mosque was one of 27 built in Ponda by Ibrahim Adil Shah in 1560. This simple looking mosques conserves relics of past. A masonry colonnade with eight sided columns adorns the outer periphery of the mosque platform surmounted by finials. The walls of the stone water tank, adjacent to the mosque, are supported by underwater arches, which is why swimming is prohibited. The mosque and the tank were fronted by a garden with broad laterite walkways.

Mount Carmel Chapel
This is one of the beautiful chapels established in central Goa. Neat and contemporary, the 18th century chapel's altars are of dark, elegantly carved wood and it is favoured over the main church, St Anne's in Silvanagar.
The Miraculous Cross
Ponda may be a Hindu heartland of Goa but the feast in each year on the 3rd of May witnesses people from all creed throng the place through an arduous route of climbing up a steep hill.

Shri Shantadurga Temple
The temple has an interesting architecture, 1 km southwest of the town center. The temple is dedicated to goddess of peace, the temple sports an unusual, almost pagoda like structure with a roof made from long slabs of stone.

Spice Farms
The spice farms in Ponda are an interesting places to visit. Tropical Spice Farm provides a 45 minute tour of the spice plantation. Also an excellent buffet lunch plus a ride on elephant are available. The Sahakari Spice Farm closer to Ponda offers almost identical tour.

Excursions From Ponda
There are more than 50 temples within a 10km radius of Ponda. Apart from temple sightseeing, Bondla wildlife sanctuary, which is nestled in the foothills of the western ghats. Inside the wildlife sanctuary there are also a botanical garden and zoo.